Durham girls stuck in Vietnam hospital

"It was 3 a.m. in the morning, and I had a phone call from Vietnam from a doctor," Durham resident Lindsey Le told ABC11 Eyewitness News.

Le's young daughters, 15-year-old Kim and 10-year-old Diane were 9,000 miles away, just off of their plane in a car full of family, headed to their grandmother's house, when they were involved in a serious accident.

A family friend died, all five of Le's relatives were badly hurt and her 15-year-old daughter was among the most seriously injured.

"I've talked with my daughter," Le said. "My daughter said, 'Mommy, can you help to save my life?' And that broke my heart."

When Kim Le arrived at the hospital, the only people working were security guards. The doctors had gone home.

Almost three weeks later, Kim finally had her first surgery. Lindsey Le says her daughters can't even leave the country until the doctors are paid.

"But I don't have any money to pay the bill," she said. "Over there everything is cash. You have no cash, they can't even come visit you."

So the Durham community, including the principal of Kim's school, City of Medicine Academy, is rallying together to help the Le family.

Donations to get Le's daughters home can be made to the "Kim and Diane Tran Le Charitable Fund" at any Suntrust Bank.

In mid-July, Lindsey Le will be able to fly to Vietnam to see her family.